ASK THE EXPERT - SEP 2016

The Ibeji is 28 cm high (11 inches) and originated from the Ilorin area It is an interesting Ibeji because it has some interesting exterior attributes. The first attribute, evident to the eyes of the Ibeji collector, is the difference between the wore face patina and the patina on the rest of the body. The wore patina on the face was caused by the frequent washes of d the Ibeji by the mother, with the consequent disappearance of the patina, which left the real color of the wood. The second attributes the ”fish bone” shaped scarification on both breasts. The “fish bone” scarifications on the breasts are frequent on the Ibeji of the area of Iwo and Ogbomosho, while are rare in the area of Ilorin. The third attribute is the significant number of ornaments of the Ibeji, with four bead necklaces and three belts and two bracelets. These ornaments show the love of the mother for her Ibeji and the relative wealth of her family. This Ibeji is catalogued on the file n. 762 of the Catalogue of the Ibeji and a similar one is shown on the plate n. 473 of the Encyclopedia of the Ibeji.